GERMANY, Munich

I took the train from Venice and headed to Munich for Oktoberfest for several days. I stayed at the Jaegermeister Hostel which was only a few blocks from the Olde Town Center and the Fairgrounds where the beer gardens were located. The . Glockenspiel Clock is one of the highlights of Olde Town . After World War II , most of Munich was destroyed. The people were give the choice of rebuilding as it was or rebuilding in newer. They chose as it was before.

GERMANY, Neushwanstein Castle

When I arrive in Munich at 7am I was told that my room at the hostel would not be ready until 2pm. I got back on the train and went to Neuschwenstein Castle outside of Furren, Germany, which was the prototype used by Walt Disney for Sleeping Beauty and the Magic Kingdom. This was one of three castles built by Mad King Ludwig and was built on an isolated rock ledge amid heart-stopping scenery. The Hohenschwangau is nearby and where Ludwig lived while overseeing the work of Neuschwanstein.

ITALY, Venice

September 16, 2006

I just arrived in Venice after spending the night traveling on the train in a sleeper car from Monaco. Venice was beautiful but after 4-5 hours you pretty much have seen almost everything. I was supposed to stay 2 nights but only stayed one. The streets are narrow, not straight and change names every 50 feet. Everyone is lost. The Piazza San Marco {St. Mark's Square} is impressive as is St. Mark's Basilica. Watch out for the pigeons. lol

MONACO, Monte Carlo

I spent a few hours in the Grand Casino and looking at the beauty and wealth which the principality of Monaco, which is smaller than London's Hyde Park, is famous for with its yachts and Rolls-Royces. I love the picture of the Rolls-Royce sitting next to a Smart car in front of the Grand Casino. I guess you arrive in one and leave in the other. lol I did win about 75 euros while at the casino.

FRANCE, Cannes, Nice

The 1st two pictures are of Cannes, home of the world famous Cannes Film Festival. The rest of the pictues were taken in Nice.

SPAIN, Barcelona, Las Ramblas

September 12, 2006

This morning I walked down Las Ramblas to the port. Street performers, sidewalk cafes, markets and flower and bird shops line this beautiful pedestrian street. At the very end of Las Ramblas is the iconic statue of Christopher Columbus next to the port. After watching the sailboats at the port, I continued walking to the beautiful beaches located in Barcelona. Later that evening I went to a sidewalk cafe for my 1st experience with Paella,  similar to Louisiana Jambalaya,  and ordered Sangria. As soon as I ordered it began to storm. I ran inside to eat and drink and 5 hours later the torrential downpour stopped. It was now 12:30 am but as luck would have it, the Tapas Bars were in full swing.

My

SPAIN, Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Port

September 13, 2006

I took the overnight train from Madrid to Barcelona. Barcelona is truly beautiful especially Los Ramblas and the port. La Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous sites in the city. The enormous incomplete, roofless mastepiece of the eccentric genius Antonio Gaudi. He was run over by a tram in 1926 before he could complete his most bizarre, controversial creation. The construction is still ongoing.

SPAIN, Madrid

I took the overnight train from Paris and arrived early Sunday morning. Madrid was beautiful and is supposedly the cleanest city in Europe. I believe it. Not as exciting as I had hoped but the fact that it rained both days and I was there on a Sunday and Monday may have been contributing factors. The Mayor Plaza was especially nice and there were sidewalk cafes everywhere. It rained too much to take many pictures.